Seeking Emergency Care

Signs Of Constipation Every Parent Should Know

16 November 2020 by Bruce Simpson

As a parent, you may know how to recognize some of the emergency signs with your children. You probably know that fevers are a sign of concern. What many parents don't realize is that constipation can be a serious health issue as well, and many children are prone to digestive issues, including constipation. Here's a look at what you need to know about when it's best to reach out to an urgent care clinic to address your child's constipation issues.

Urination Problems

Few people think about urination issues as being connected to constipation, but the two can sometimes go hand-in-hand. If your child is struggling with a persistent feeling of needing to pee despite not being able to void much urine, that can often be caused by constipation. 

When stool is backed up in the intestines, it can put pressure on the bladder. The pressure on the bladder can cause it to feel full much faster than it otherwise would, leaving your child feeling a persistent, unrelievable urge to urinate.

It's important to note, however, that this feeling can often be the result of a urinary tract infection as well. That's why a symptom like this should always warrant a visit to the local urgent care.

Poor Appetite

Children who are significantly constipated may gradually display reductions in their appetite. If your child doesn't seem to be hungry or doesn't eat much over several days despite normally being a good eater, that's another sign of significant constipation. 

As stool backs up, it reduces the area left for the body to process waste. This can put pressure on the stomach, affecting appetite and the ability to eat. Left untreated, this can also lead to vomiting after eating because the body is no longer able to properly digest food.

Abdominal Pain

If your child is showing other signs of constipation and then starts to experience significant abdominal pain, it's important to seek an urgent care facility right away. Abdominal pain like this is a sign of significant fecal backup, and could ultimately indicate impaction or blockage. You should seek an urgent care right away to have X-rays done. That way, the care providers can assess the severity of the constipation and recommend the proper treatment path.

When it comes to constipation, it can lead to a series of complications that may ultimately require surgery if impaction is severe enough. The sooner you recognize and treat constipation in your child, the easier the process will be. Contact an urgent care center for more information.

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